One Senior Place: The holidays can be stressful, but there are ways to mitigate the anxiety
Q: The holidays are stressful. How can I stay sane at this time of year?
A: I hear you. The "most wonderful time of the year" can also be stressful and exhausting.
Parties, events, mailing gifts, getting the house in shape for guests — whew!
Luckily, there are some ways we can keep it all in perspective.
Previous One Senior Place columns:
Wallet savers: Looking for inexpensive holiday presents? Here are some suggestions
Get some Zzzs: A look at over-the-counter products intended to help people sleep
Be thankful: Practicing gratitude can reduce anxiety, stress during holiday season
Plan ahead. Between friends, family and work, some events will inevitably fall on the same day. Determine what you can reasonably attend. If you are hosting at the holidays, create a menu and make notes in advance. Keeping track of dates with an online or printed calendar page can seriously help.
Say "No." I recently conducted a presentation about stress and one lady in the audience raised her hand to say, “I've discovered that 'No' is a complete sentence.” Saying "No" is tough for many people — but it is a perfectly acceptable answer (at any time of year) and can help you set boundaries.
Budget spending. The holidays typically mean spending some money, so create a budget and resolve to stick to it. Giving doesn't need to break the bank or require months of payments with interest. Spend more thought — and you'll spend less money.
Maintain healthy habits. Another tough one. Don’t completely ditch your workout routine. Try to get in at least a 30-minute walk each day. Limit the goodies and sweets at the holiday gatherings (and in your pantry) and try reaching for healthy snacks like fresh fruit or vegetables.
Share feelings. The holidays after a personal loss can be difficult. Acknowledge your feelings and open up to others about them. If old holiday traditions bring sadness, then make it a point to try something new.
Respect differences. Do family and friends have different opinions and views? Try to respect others by focusing on similarities and steering conversations into safer waters.
Be realistic. You are only one person. You can only do so much. Consider asking others to shoulder some responsibilities. Forget about perfection and focus on being present.
Take a break. Don’t forget you. Nap, stroll, read a book, or enjoy a holiday movie. Spend time with people who make you laugh. Laughter really is the best medicine! It relaxes the whole body and relieves tension.
The holidays can be a fun and enjoyable time with family and friends. Embrace the happy excitement. Then banish the "shoulds" and enjoy the beauty of the season.
One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Questions for this column are answered by professionals in nursing, social work, care management and in-home care. Send questions to [email protected], call 321-751-6771 or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging.
Lisa Conway is a Registered Nurse, Certified Dementia Practitioner and a Certified Care Manager for Senior Partner Care Services, Viera. Ms. Conway hosts a monthly seminar, 'Senior Health Friday with Nurse Lisa.'
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Eight strategies to help make your holiday season less stressful
